More than 400 cyclists will pedal through the streets of downtown Belmont this April, some vying for precious tenths of seconds, many competing for prize money and Olympic dreams.
Amateur, professional and Olympic cyclists will participate this spring in the Belmont Criterium, to be held April 13 in the scenic North Carolina city. The race returns for a second year to the fast-paced, downtown 0.67 mile loop and is again presented by Carolinas HealthCare System.
“We are unbelievably proud to welcome the Criterium back to our city streets in 2014,” said Reba Edwards, Downtown Director for the City of Belmont. “Not only does bicycling have one of the highest participation rates among sports in our country, but as a spectator, you learn so much about the importance of being active and healthy today. It’s a great event for our community.”
The Criterium in Belmont closes out a big weekend of cycling in the region. This year’s event – unlike 2013 – is partnered with the Novant Health Invitational Criterium in Charlotte and the Dilworth Criterium, both hosted the day prior to Belmont’s race. Together, these National Criterium Calendar contests create the Charlotte-Belmont Omnium, a weekend anticipated to usher in competitive teams from across the United States as well as thousands of spectators.
“Each year, around 11 million Americans attend races just like the one that will come through Belmont this April,” added Edwards. “We look forward to sharing our city’s charm and history with each visitor, giving everyone a taste of our local businesses and southern hospitality alongside the high-speed, high-stakes cycling.”
The Belmont Criterium will race through downtown Belmont on Sunday, April 13. Events kick off at 12 p.m. with amateur races followed by professional races at 5 p.m. Both race series begin and end at City Hall on Main Street. The Sunday festivities also feature a Kids Crit Dash, kids zone with inflatables, a BMX demonstration area on South Main Street and a Hospitality Zone on the Catawba Street “Infield.” The Belmont Criterium is a partnership between the City of Belmont and the Belmont Merchants Association.
For more information, visit www.belmontcrit.org. For more information on the National Criterium Calendar, visit www.usacycling.org/ncc.
